Governor of New Hampshire states position on Frank's bill

[TheEngineer]

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I agree. It can be best to be proactive. At least then we are stating our position and not just defending it. If this governor knows he has a lot of constituents in favor of gaming online perhaps he will not be so persuaded by the time the "other" guys get to him.

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Our opponents know what's going on. Here's what Focus on the Family thinks about us:

http://www.family.org/socialissues/Gambling/ and http://family.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/f...p?p_faqid=1238 .

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Gambling is driven by and subsists on greed. For this reason, the activity is morally bankrupt from its very foundation. Gambling is also an activity which exploits the vulnerable — the young, the old, and those susceptible to addictive behaviors. Further, gambling entices the financially disadvantaged classes with the unrealistic hope of escape from poverty through instant riches, thus ultimately worsening the plight of our poorest citizens. Also, gambling undermines the work ethic. It is based on the premise of something for nothing, a concept that sanctions idleness rather than industriousness, slothfulness instead of initiative.

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Focus on the Family has asked their members to write to Bush and Paulson of the Treasury for tough UIGEA regs. http://www.citizenlink.org/FOSI/gamb...A000004244.cfm

Here's a James Dobson (Focus on the Family leader) quote:

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Likewise, we have been lifelong teetotalers with regard to alcohol. I know many people enjoy wine with their meals -- and that is entirely their business. But we will never have a problem with alcohol if we take an absolutist position in reference to it. I am not so arrogant as to recommend that others do as we have done, but there would be fewer victims of addiction if they did.

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Well, he's more holy than Jesus, at least in his mind, as Jesus did make wine (and he gave it others, tempting them, per Dobson). If Dobson is more righteous in his own mind than Jesus Christ, they're not coming around for us, no matter how quiet we are.

Here he is on porn:

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As a member of the Attorney General's Commission on Pornography, I listened to testimony by those who thought they could jazz up their sex lives by viewing obscene materials. They discovered that the stuff they were watching quickly seemed tame and even boring. That led them to seek racier, ever more violent depictions. And then they journeyed down the road toward harder and more violent materials. For some, not all, it became an obsession that filled their world with perversion and sickness. They lusted after sex with animals, molestation of children, urinating and defecation, sadomasochism, mutilation of genitals, and incest. And how did it happen? The door was quietly opened to obscenity, and a monster came charging out.

My point is this: The restrictions and commandments of Scripture were designed to protect us from evil. Though it is difficult to believe when we are young, it is true that "the wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23). If we keep our lives clean and do not permit ourselves to toy with evil, the addictions that have ravaged humanity can never touch us. It's a very old-fashioned idea. I still believe in it.

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Sounds like the fringe? No. Focus on the Family is the leading bastion of social conservatism. They don't reason, and they don't listen to us. They only wish to ban that which they think is sinful (even if it's not in the Bible). The solution isn't to hide and stay quiet. It's to speak loudly and often. They do.

[frommagio]

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Everybody needs to understand that its not an opt in or opt out statute. Its only an opt out statute, which is very very important. I would not write these letters to bring focus to it.

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If this bill passes that will bring a lot of attention to the issue. We might as well know where we stand ahead of time.

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Yes, but isn't it overkill to send 50 emails to each Governor?

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[Jeffiner99]

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Everybody needs to understand that its not an opt in or opt out statute. Its only an opt out statute, which is very very important. I would not write these letters to bring focus to it.

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If this bill passes that will bring a lot of attention to the issue. We might as well know where we stand ahead of time.

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Yes, but isn't it overkill to send 50 emails to each Governor?

[img]/images/graemlins/shocked.gif[/img]

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No, they usually just brush you off the first 49 times.

[autobet]

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I also received a letter from the Utah governor. No surprise there, no gambling now or ever.

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No surprise. They should make that their state motto. Maybe put it on their license plate.

I imagine you read Bill Richardson's endorsement of repealing UIGEA that was posted here. So, one state in, one out, and one uncommitted.

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At least they are consistent. I respect them for that.

It is most sickening when representatives from progambling states like Arizona and Iowa helped lead the charge.

[Jeff W]

What happened to "Live Free or Die"?

[Our House]

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Here's a James Dobson (Focus on the Family leader) quote:

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Likewise, we have been lifelong teetotalers with regard to alcohol. I know many people enjoy wine with their meals -- and that is entirely their business. But we will never have a problem with alcohol if we take an absolutist position in reference to it. I am not so arrogant as to recommend that others do as we have done, but there would be fewer victims of addiction if they did.

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As a member of the Attorney General's Commission on Pornography, I listened to testimony by those who thought they could jazz up their sex lives by viewing obscene materials. They discovered that the stuff they were watching quickly seemed tame and even boring. That led them to seek racier, ever more violent depictions. And then they journeyed down the road toward harder and more violent materials. For some, not all, it became an obsession that filled their world with perversion and sickness. They lusted after sex with animals, molestation of children, urinating and defecation, sadomasochism, mutilation of genitals, and incest. And how did it happen? The door was quietly opened to obscenity, and a monster came charging out.

My point is this: The restrictions and commandments of Scripture were designed to protect us from evil. Though it is difficult to believe when we are young, it is true that "the wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23). If we keep our lives clean and do not permit ourselves to toy with evil, the addictions that have ravaged humanity can never touch us. It's a very old-fashioned idea. I still believe in it.

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Thank you, James Dobson.

Why not take the worst case scenario of everything and use that to support your ridiculous position? It's very effective.

Here are some other ideas:

I had a friend whose house burned down from a loose wire. We shouldn't use electricity.

American people are fat. Ban all fast food.

Teenagers overcharge on credit cards. Take away everyone's credit.

Geez...the sun causes sunburn and skin cancer. Let's extinguish the sun.

People have died in car accidents! No more driving.

And ZOMG there have been scandals in politics. BLOW UP THE FUKCING GOVERNMENT!!!111

[TomVeil]

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The Church is driven by and subsists on greed. For this reason, the activity is morally bankrupt from its very foundation. The Church is also an establisment which exploits the vulnerable — the young, the old, and those susceptible to addictive behaviors. Further, The Church entices the financially disadvantaged classes with the unrealistic hope of escape from poverty through instant redemption, thus ultimately worsening the plight of our poorest citizens. Also, The Church undermines the work ethic. It is based on the premise of something for nothing, a concept that sanctions idleness rather than industriousness, slothfulness instead of initiative.


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Fixed Dobson's thoughts [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

[Skallagrim]

Ah-yuh, that governor of NH really opposes "gambling" dont he?

As a resident of NH, I can tell you NH loves gambling (it has the dubious distincition of being the first state lotto and recently became the first state to offer $50 scratch tickets), but it doesnt like "casinos" - that would destroy our "quality of life" ... actually the vote is usually pretty close even on that.

My guess is the staffer who wrote that letter to you had no clue what you are talking about, and gave you the Governor's standard line on "expanded gambling," which in ordinary english is, "unless it wont hurt me at the polls, I am against casino gambling in NH."

Internet poker, and in fact poker in general, is not even "gambling" under NH law (gambling is wagering on a future event "over which the player has no control OR INFLUENCE").

And no one has even talked about internet gambling in NH politics at all. So I guess it was a slow day in the Governor's office when your e-mail came in Jeffiner, either that or they have finally got the automated response thing working.

Skallagrim

[Jeffiner99]

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Ah-yuh, that governor of NH really opposes "gambling" dont he?

As a resident of NH, I can tell you NH loves gambling (it has the dubious distincition of being the first state lotto and recently became the first state to offer $50 scratch tickets), but it doesnt like "casinos" - that would destroy our "quality of life" ... actually the vote is usually pretty close even on that.

My guess is the staffer who wrote that letter to you had no clue what you are talking about, and gave you the Governor's standard line on "expanded gambling," which in ordinary english is, "unless it wont hurt me at the polls, I am against casino gambling in NH."

Internet poker, and in fact poker in general, is not even "gambling" under NH law (gambling is wagering on a future event "over which the player has no control OR INFLUENCE").

And no one has even talked about internet gambling in NH politics at all. So I guess it was a slow day in the Governor's office when your e-mail came in Jeffiner, either that or they have finally got the automated response thing working.

Skallagrim

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It took them several weeks to respond and I not only told them about which bill I meant I quoted the section pertaining to governors from it. This was the second email I received. The first one said, we will look into this and get back to you.

The surprising part is that he is one of the very few who was willing to take a stance at all. Most of them told me to ask the feds since this is a federal bill and all. Make of it what you will.

I would suggest that you NH folks are not so free to live as you like and to send a few letters to your governor. Let him know you are a voting block. Make a few calls. You don't want to be behind the curve on this one if this bill ever does pass.

[Jeffiner99]

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Ah-yuh, that governor of NH really opposes "gambling" dont he?

As a resident of NH, I can tell you NH loves gambling (it has the dubious distincition of being the first state lotto and recently became the first state to offer $50 scratch tickets), but it doesnt like "casinos" - that would destroy our "quality of life" ... actually the vote is usually pretty close even on that.

My guess is the staffer who wrote that letter to you had no clue what you are talking about, and gave you the Governor's standard line on "expanded gambling," which in ordinary english is, "unless it wont hurt me at the polls, I am against casino gambling in NH."

Internet poker, and in fact poker in general, is not even "gambling" under NH law (gambling is wagering on a future event "over which the player has no control OR INFLUENCE").

And no one has even talked about internet gambling in NH politics at all. So I guess it was a slow day in the Governor's office when your e-mail came in Jeffiner, either that or they have finally got the automated response thing working.

Skallagrim

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This bill gets a little scary when it turns out YOUR state may force you to move or quit playing online, huh Skall?